Carrying Capacity

The resources in any given habitat can support only a certain number of wildlife. As seasons change, food, water, or cover may be in short supply, causing damage to the animals or the habitat. Carrying capacity is the number of animals the habitat can support all year long. The carrying capacity of a certain tract of land can vary from year to year. It can be changed by nature or humans.

Factors that limit wildlife populations include:

Starvation

Disease and Parasites

Accidents

Weather

Hunting

Predators

Loss of Habitat

Human Development

Old Age

Glossary

carrying capacity

The number of animals the habitat can support throughout the year without causing damage to the animals or the habitat

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